We Live Theology

Ever ponder why Paul (or any other Biblical writer) never wrote an inspired systematic theology? It is interesting; theology is so important. Yet, we never have Paul, for instance, writing down theology as written in our text books. Why?

Now, we can say at the forefront that it is not because true theology is not important. Where as there is no plain systematic theology that is not to say there is no theology. Theology is abundant in scripture. But instead of it being laid out plainly most of the time it is woven through the life situations of Paul, the churches he is writing to, etc. It is like we have to take down the walls to study the frame in our biblical studies of doctrine. For instance, it is through Paul’s disputation with false teachers in Galatia that we can study his theology of the New Covenant in Gal. 4:21-31.

The reason theology is presented in the bible this way is because the bible presents theology as it really is. The reality of theology is that it is woven into the very fabric of our lives whether we realize it or not. You see, every action of our life is a demonstration of our theology—of our true theology. Yes, there is a theology that we verbally state (this is good and should be done: “watch you life and watch your doctrine” 1 Tim. 4:16). But then there is theology that comes out in our day to day actions. We can confess with our mouth that God is sovereign and good. Yet, if we live in anxiety, the truth of the matter is that we really don’t believe that God is sovereign and/or good. Or conversely, to take an example from Paul who had a true theology of the present New Covenant which showed itself in his great confidence in his missionary endeavors (2 Cor. 3:1-18). Even a statement like, “it is not important to know theology” is a theological statement declaring that one believes God does not care what a person believes about God. We cannot escape theology, it is woven into life itself. This is why we see theology woven through the letters and prophecies in Scripture. The bible presents us with the reality that our theology comes out in everything we say or do.